Print data controlling method

ABSTRACT

An object of the present invention is to provide a print data controlling method for correctly performing, even when a print request regarding the same or similar print data is repeatedly issued, a print procedure desired by a user without decrease in printer operating efficiency and waste of resources such as paper. As a decision result produced by a print server on the basis of a comparison of data specifying information contained in print requesting data with data specifying information attached to each print data spooled in a print queue, a terminal device receives decision data which informs that there has already been spooled print data identical with or similar to print data regarding a current print request. Then, the terminal device will accept designation input for designating a print data processing procedure, thereafter sending to the print server processing data representative of contents of the designated print data processing procedure. The print server processes the print data according to contents of the received processing data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a print data controlling methodin an information processing system for temporarily spooling print dataoutputted from a terminal device in a print queue of a print server forforwarding to a printer.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] In an information processing system, such as a local area network(LAN), when print requests are issued to a printer from individualterminal devices such as computers on the client end, print dataregarding these print requests are temporarily spooled in a print queueof a print server. Thereafter, these print data is delivered to theprinter from which they are printed out one after another.

[0005] In an information processing system of the type described above,however, it is difficult to know an association between the print queueand the printer. Moreover, there may be a case in which, although theprint data in point has already been spooled in the print queue, a printrequest regarding the same print data is reissued from the terminaldevice. Not only does such repetition of issuing a print requestregarding the same print data result in the drop in printer operatingefficiency, but it also results in the waste of resources such as paper.

[0006] The following techniques to cope with the problem have beendisclosed. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A 7-210345 (1995)discloses a method which enables a user to confirm and set the relationbetween a printer connected to a network and a print queue on agraphical user interface (GUI) screen.

[0007] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A 3-233666 (1991)discloses a method in which when print data retransmission is carriedout because of a failure during an initial transmission, pages printdata of which is overlapped between the initial transmission and theretransmission are deleted in printing.

[0008] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A 8-221227 (1996)discloses a method in which print data which was already subjected toprint processing is stored in a history queue for a predetermined periodof time, and in the event of printing of the same print data as the datawhich was already subjected to print processing, the print data in thehistory queue is utilized without transmitting the print data to bereprinted.

[0009] These prior art techniques, however, have a common problem. Thatis, when, after a print request regarding particular print data isissued from a terminal device without the occurrence of a failure,another print request regarding the same print data is repeatedly issuedbecause of, for example, the user's erroneous operation, this willproduce some problems. One problem is that there occurs the drop inprinter operating efficiency. Another problem is that it is impossibleto ensure that the waste of resources such as paper is prevented.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a print datacontrolling method capable of carrying out print processing desired by auser without decreasing printer operating efficiency and without wastingresources such as paper. More specifically, when a print requestregarding the same or similar print data is repeatedly issued from aterminal device by the user, the user is allowed, after the fact thatthe print data regarding the current print request totally or partiallyoverlaps with the print data regarding the previously-issued printrequest is confirmed, to designate a print data processing procedure sothat the print data is processed according to the designated print dataprocessing procedure.

[0011] The invention provides a print data controlling method in whichprint data regarding a print request which has been issued from aterminal device is temporarily spooled in a print queue and suppliedfrom the print queue to a printer, comprising the steps of:

[0012] comparing print data regarding a current print request with printdata which is previously spooled in the print queue;

[0013] transmitting a result of the comparison to the terminal devicewhich has issued the current print request; and

[0014] generating a warning message in the terminal device when theresult of the comparison indicates that print data identical with orsimilar to the print data regarding the current print request ispreviously spooled in the print queue.

[0015] According to the print data controlling method of the invention,when a terminal device issues a print request, the print data regardingthe current print request is compared with the print data previouslyspooled in the print queue and a result of the comparison is transmittedto the terminal device. When print data identical with or similar to theprint data regarding the current print request is previously spooled inthe print queue, a warning message indicative of such spooling isgenerated in the terminal device. This ensures that the user who issuedthe current print request becomes, by the warning message, aware of thefact that there has previously been spooled the print data identicalwith or similar to the print data regarding the current print request inthe print queue. With the arrangement, it becomes possible to prompt theuser to input a processing instruction with respect to the print dataregarding the current print request or the print data previously spooledin the print queue.

[0016] In the invention it is preferable that when the comparison resultindicates that print data identical with or similar to the print dataregarding the current print request is previously spooled in the printqueue, an input operation for designating a print data processingprocedure of how to process the print data regarding the current printrequest and the previously spooled print data is accepted by theterminal device to which the comparison result was transmitted and theprint data is processed according to the designated print dataprocessing procedure.

[0017] According to the print data controlling method of the invention,when a print request is issued from a terminal device, a result ofcomparing the print data regarding the issued print request with printdata previously spooled in the print queue is transmitted to theterminal device. The print data is processed according a print dataprocessing procedure designated in the terminal device which is inreceipt of the comparison result. In other words, such a comparisonresult is used as a base of determining whether the current printrequest is proper or improper in the terminal device and the print datais processed by a print data processing procedure according to thedetermination operation result. As a result of such arrangement, evenwhen a print request for the printing of print data identical with orsimilar to the print data previously spooled is erroneously issued, itis possible to execute a printing process desired by the user withoutwaste, thereby ensuring that the drop in printer operating efficiencyand the waste of resources such as paper are prevented.

[0018] In the invention it is preferable that the step of comparing theprint data regarding the current print request with the print datapreviously spooled in the print queue is carried out with respect tocontents of print data.

[0019] According to the print data controlling method of the invention,the contents of the print data regarding the current print request andthe contents of the print data regarding the previously-issued printrequest (which has already been spooled in the print queue) are comparedwith each other, which therefore makes it possible to correctly comparethe print data regarding the current print request and the print dataregarding the previously-issued print request. As a result, it ispossible to correctly determine whether the current print request isproper or improper.

[0020] In the invention it is preferable that the step of comparing theprint data regarding the current print request with the print datapreviously spooled in the print queue is carried out based on datarepresentative of characteristics of print data.

[0021] According to the print data controlling method of the invention,the data representative of the characteristics of the print dataregarding the current print request and the data representative of thecharacteristics of the print data regarding the previously-issued printrequest (which has already been spooled in the print queue) are comparedwith each other. Therefore, the amount of comparison data is reduced,and processing time is shortened.

[0022] In the invention it is preferable that the step of comparing theprint data regarding the current print request with the print datapreviously spooled in the print queue is carried out based on contentsof print requesting data which is outputted earlier than print data.

[0023] According to the print data controlling method of the invention,the contents of the print requesting data which was outputted earlierthan the print data regarding the current print request is compared withthe contents of the print requesting data about the print data regardingthe previously-issued print request previously spooled in the printqueue. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the current printrequest is proper or improper before the print data regarding thecurrent print request is outputted. This makes it possible to preventprint data which will not be printed in a later process from beingoutputted from the terminal device. Because of such arrangement, thereceiving/transmitting of data in the terminal device is smoothed.

[0024] Moreover, in the invention it is preferable that the step ofcomparing the print data regarding the current print request with theprint data previously spooled in the print queue is carried out withrespect to only print data regarding a print request previously issuedfrom a same terminal device or user as that from which the print requestis currently issued.

[0025] According to the print data controlling method of the invention,the print data comparison step is carried out on only the print dataoutputted before the print data regarding the current print request,from the terminal device/user which issued the current print request.Accordingly, such arrangement not only reduces the frequency at which acomparison process is executed but also prevents a comparison result forprint data outputted from a different terminal device/user from beingtransmitted to the terminal device which issued the current printrequest, thereby ensuring that processing confusion/complication isprevented from occurring.

[0026] In the invention it is preferable that a print data processingprocedure of how to process the print data regarding the current printrequest and the previously spooled print data can be designated fromamong a plurality of previously-set print data processing procedures.

[0027] According to the print data controlling method of the invention,any one of the previously-set print data processing procedures isselectively designated as a way of processing the print data. Thistherefore provides a simplified operation for designating a print dataprocessing procedure.

[0028] In the invention it is preferable that the plurality of printdata processing procedures includes a print data processing procedurecontents of which indicate an operation of canceling at least one ofprinting of the print data regarding the current print request andprinting of the print data which is previously spooled in the printqueue and is identical with or similar to the print data regarding thecurrent print request.

[0029] According to the print data controlling method of the invention,in accordance with the selectively-designated print data processingprocedure, at least one of the printing of the print data regarding thecurrent print request and the printing of the print data which ispreviously spooled in the print queue and is identical with or similarto the print data regarding the current print request is canceled.Accordingly, even when a print request is issued for the printing ofprint data identical with the print data whose print request has alreadybeen issued or for post-modification print data similar thereto, onlythe printing of print data desired by the user is carried out withoutwaste.

[0030] In the invention it is preferable that the plurality of printdata processing procedures includes a print data processing procedurecontents of which indicate an operation of making a change in printcondition of print data which is previously spooled in the print queueand is identical with or similar to the print data regarding the currentprint request.

[0031] According to the print data controlling method of the invention,in accordance with the selectively-designated print data processingprocedure, the print data, which is previously spooled in the printqueue and is identical with or similar to the print data regarding thecurrent print request, is printed with a change in print condition.Accordingly, even when a print request is issued for the printing ofprint data identical with the print data whose print request has alreadybeen issued or for the printing of post-modification print data similarthereto, only the printing of print data based on the print conditiondesired by the user is carried out without waste.

[0032] In the invention it is preferable that the plurality of printdata processing procedures includes a print data processing procedurecontents of which indicate an operation of extracting a differencebetween the print data regarding the current print request and the printdata previously spooled in the print queue so as to perform only theprinting of the extracted difference.

[0033] According to the print data controlling method of the invention,in accordance with the selectively-designated print data processingprocedure, only the difference between the print data regarding thecurrent print request and the previously spooled print data is subjectedto printing. Accordingly, even when a print request is issued for theprinting of print data similar to the print data whose print request hasalready been issued, only the printing of print data based on the printcondition desired by the user is carried out without waste.

[0034] In the invention it is preferable that after a predeterminedperiod of time has elapsed without designating of any particular printdata processing procedure for the print data regarding the current printrequest and the already-spooled print data, the print data is processedaccording to a default print data processing procedure.

[0035] According to the print data controlling method of the invention,after a predetermined period of time has elapsed without the designationof any particular print data processing procedure in the terminaldevice, print data processing is performed according to the defaultprint data processing procedure. This prevents the absence ofdesignation of a certain print data processing procedure in the terminaldevice which is the origin of the current print request, therebypreventing the processing of the print data from being interrupted for along period of time. This prevents a decrease in processing efficiency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Other and further objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be more explicit from the following detailed descriptiontaken with reference to the drawings wherein:

[0037]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an informationprocessing system to which a print data controlling method according toan embodiment of the invention is applied;

[0038]FIG. 2 is a flowchart diagram illustrating a processing procedureof a terminal device included in the information processing system;

[0039]FIG. 3 is a flowchart diagram illustrating an example ofprocessing procedure of a print server included in the informationprocessing system;

[0040]FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating protocols used for a process ofexchanging data between the terminal device and the print server;

[0041]FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating contents of print requesting datawhich is transmitted from the terminal device to the print server;

[0042]FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating contents of decision data whichis transmitted from the print server to the terminal device;

[0043]FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating contents of processing data whichis transmitted from the terminal device to the print server;

[0044]FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating contents of reception-ready datawhich is transmitted from the print server to the terminal device;

[0045]FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating contents of print data which istransmitted from the terminal device to the print server;

[0046]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating contents of reception-completiondata which is transmitted from the print server to the terminal device;and

[0047]FIGS. 11A and 11B each illustrate display contents of a print dataprocessing procedure selecting screen in a terminal device display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0048] Now referring to the drawings, preferred embodiments of theinvention are described below.

[0049] Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a configuration of aninformation processing system to which a print data controlling methodaccording to an embodiment of the invention is applied. In aninformation processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, aterminal device 2 located on the client end such as a user computer isconnected, via a print server 3, to a printer 4. When a print request isissued to the printer 4 from the terminal device 2, print data regardingthe print request is temporarily spooled in a print queue 31 of theprint server 3. Thereafter, the print data thus spooled is supplied fromthe print server 3 to the printer 4, so that printing takes place insequence in the printer 4. Further, the terminal device 2 and theprinter 4 are each connected, either singly or plurally, to theinformation processing system 1.

[0050] Usually, the print server 3 spools print data outputted from theterminal device 2 in the print queue 31 in the order in which they werereceived, and these print data is read out in the order in which theywere spooled in the print queue 31, thereafter being transmitted to theprinter 4. For example, with five files (i.e., files 1 to 5) previouslyspooled in the print queue 31 of the print server 3, when a printrequest regarding a file A as print data is outputted from the terminaldevice 2, contents of the file A are spooled in the print queue 31 as asixth file 6. After the printing of each of the files 1-5 has beencompleted, the contents of the file A are supplied to the printer 4.

[0051] In the information processing system 1, the printer 4, when aprint request is outputted from any one of the terminal devices 2, doesnot always start the printing of print data regarding the print requestimmediately after the print request was outputted. The time from when aprint request is outputted to when the printing of print data regardingto the print request is completed varies depending upon the print dataspool state of the print queue 31 of the print server 3. Because of suchvariation, when many pieces of print data is spooled in the print queue31, the user, who carried out an operation to issue a print request, maymake a misunderstanding that a failure has occurred during thetransmission of the print request. This is likely to cause the user toreissue a print request regarding the same print data as previouslyrequested to be printed. Moreover, when a lengthy period of time iselapsed from when a print request is outputted to when the printing ofprint data regarding to the print request is executed, this may resultin making a modification in contents of the print data regarding theprint request or a change in the printing condition of the print dataregarding the print request such as the number of copies to be printed.

[0052] In the print data controlling method according to the embodimentof the invention, it is therefore designed such that, whenever aterminal device 2 outputs a print request, print data regarding theprint request is compared with each print data that has already beenspooled in the print queue 31 of the print server 3. When there alreadyexists print data in the print queue 31 which is identical with orsimilar to the print data regarding the current print request, then awarning message is generated to the terminal device 2 which outputtedthe current print request.

[0053]FIG. 2 is a flowchart diagram showing a processing procedure ofthe terminal device included in the information processing system. FIG.3 is a flowchart diagram showing an example of a processing procedure ofthe print server included in the information processing system.Moreover, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing protocols for the process ofexchanging data between the terminal device 2 and the print server 3.FIGS. 5-10 show structures of data of different types which areexchanged between the terminal device 2 and the print server 3. Thedescription will be made by reference to FIGS. 2-10.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 2, when the user carries out an operation whichinstructs specific file data to be printed, the terminal device 2transmits print requesting data, i.e., “Inquiry Data Req” as shown inFIG. 4, to the print server 3 (s1). The print requesting data comprises,as shown in FIG. 5, data specifying information about the file data(i.e., the print data) such as a filename, creation date and time, filesize, application name, user name, transmission time, and terminaldevice identifier.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 3, upon receipt of the print requesting data(s21), the print server 3 interrupts the transmitting of print dataspooled in the print queue 31 to the printer 4 (s22). Then, the printserver 3 makes a comparison between the data specifying informationcontained in the received print requesting data and data specifyinginformation attached to each print data spooled in the print queue 31 soas to determine whether the print queue 31 has already spooled printdata having the same or similar data specifying information (s23). Theprint server 3 stores a result of the comparison (s24). Thereafter, theprint server 3 transmits to the terminal device 2 decision data (i.e.,“Inquiry Data Res” as shown in FIG. 4) according to whether there existsthe same print data, whether there exists the similar print data, orwhether there does not exist the same or similar print data (s25-s28).Then, the print server 3 cancels the interruption of the transmitting ofthe print data other than the print data regarding the current printrequest, from the print queue 31 to the printer 4 (s29). The decisiondata comprises data representative of a result of the comparison asshown in FIG. 6 and the data specifying information of the printrequesting data of FIG. 5.

[0056] Reference is made again to FIG. 2. Upon receipt of the decisiondata from the print server 3 (s2), the terminal device 2 checks, withrespect to contents of the decision data, the print queue 31 for thepresence or absence of print data identical with or similar to the printdata regarding the current print request (s3). In the presence of thesame or similar print data in the print queue 31, the terminal device 2accepts an input for designating one of print data processing procedures(s4). Upon completion of the print data processing procedure designatinginput, or after an elapse of a predetermined period of time (s5, s6),the terminal device 2 transmits processing data representative ofcontents of the designated print data processing procedure, i.e., “SetMode Req” as shown in FIG. 4, to the print server 3 (s7). The processingdata comprises data representative of a designated print data processingprocedure as shown in FIG. 7 and data specifying information about printdata to be processed by the designated print data processing procedure.

[0057] Reference is made again to FIG. 3. Upon receipt of the processingdata from the terminal device 2 (s30), the print server 3 stores theprocessing data in a memory device (not shown) (s31) and executes,according to contents of the processing data, any one of the followingfour different procedures, namely, procedure A, procedure B, procedureC, and procedure D.

[0058] Procedure A

[0059] When the contents of the processing data transmitted from theterminal 2 indicate such a processing procedure of stopping printing ofboth the print data regarding the current print request and the printdata which is previously spooled in the print queue 31 and identicalwith or similar to the print data regarding the current print request,the print server 3 then sends to the terminal device 2 transmission stoprequest data requesting that the transmission of the print dataregarding the current print request be stopped. At the same time, theprint server deletes print data of all the print data previously spooledin the print queue 31 corresponding to the data specifying informationof the processing data (s32-s34).

[0060] Procedure B

[0061] When the contents of the processing data transmitted from theterminal device 2 indicate a processing procedure of carrying outprinting of only the print data regarding the current print request, theprint server 3 then sends to the terminal device 2, reception-ready datarequesting for the transmission of the print data, i.e., “Set Mode Res”as shown in FIG. 4. At the same time, the print server 3 deletes printdata of all the print data previously spooled in the print queue 31corresponding to the data specifying information of the processing data(s35-s37). The reception-ready data comprises data representative of areception-ready status as shown in FIG. 8 and the data specifyinginformation of FIG. 5.

[0062] Procedure C

[0063] When the contents of the processing data transmitted from theterminal device 2 is related to such a processing procedure in whichonly the printing of the print data which is previously spooled in theprint queue 31 and regarding the previously-issued print request isprinted, the print server 3 then sends to the terminal device 2transmission stop requesting data requesting that the transmission ofthe print data regarding the current print request be stopped (s43,s44). Moreover, when the processing data indicates that a change in thenumber of copies to be printed is to be made, the print server 3 changesthe number of copies to be printed of the print data corresponding tothe data specifying information of the processing data spooled in theprint queue 31 (s45, s46). Thereafter, the print server 3 cancels theinterruption of the transmitting of the print data identical with orsimilar to the print data regarding the current print request, from theprint queue 31 to the printer 4 (s47).

[0064] Procedure D

[0065] When the contents of the processing data transmitted from theterminal device 2 is related to such a processing procedure in whichprinting of both the print data regarding the current print request andthe print data which is previously spooled in the print queue 31 andidentical with or similar to the print data regarding the current printrequest is executed, the print server 3 then cancels the interruption ofthe transmitting of the print data identical with or similar to theprint data regarding the current print request, from the print queue 31to the printer 4. The print server 3 sends to the terminal device 2 thereception-ready data of FIG. 8 requesting for the transmission of theprint data (s48-s50).

[0066] Reference is made again to FIG. 2. After having transmitted theprocessing data to the print server 3 at the step S7, the terminaldevice 2 is put on standby for the transmission of data from the printserver 3 (s8, s9). The terminal device 2 will execute either one of thefollowing two different procedures (procedure a and procedure β),depending upon which of the transmission stop requesting data and thereception-ready data the terminal device 2 receives.

[0067] Procedure α

[0068] When the print server 3 sends the transmission stop requestingdata in procedure A or procedure C, the terminal device 2 cancels thetransmitting of the print data regarding the current print request(s8→s10).

[0069] Procedure β

[0070] When the print server 3 sends the reception-ready data inprocedure B or procedure D, the terminal device 2 then sends to theprint server 3 the print data regarding the current print request, i.e.,“Send Data” as shown in FIG. 4, (s9→s11). The terminal device 2 waitsfor the print server 3 to transmit the reception completion data (s12).As shown in FIG. 9, data identifying information equivalent to the dataspecifying information is attached to the print data.

[0071] Again, reference is made to FIG. 2. When the print server 3 sendsthe reception-ready data in procedure B or D, the print server 3receives the print data transmitted in procedure β from the terminaldevice 2. Upon completion of the receiving of the print data, the printserver 3 sends to the terminal device 2 the reception completion data(“Get Status” as shown in FIG. 4) (s38, s39). The reception completiondata comprises data representative of a print data reception completionstatus as shown in FIG. 10 and data identifying information.

[0072] After having transmitted the reception completion data, the printserver 3 determines whether the processing data transmitted from theterminal device 2 contains therein the designation of a differentialprint procedure (s40). When the differential print procedure isdesignated, differences between print data of all the print datapreviously spooled in the print queue 31 that is similar to acurrently-received print data and the currently-received print data isextracted and the entire of the similar print data is replaced with thedifferent portions extracted from the similar print data (s41).Thereafter, changes in contents of the transmitting process of the printdata from the print queue 31 to the printer 4 are fixed (s42). When thedifferential print procedure is not designated, then the contents of thetransmitting process of the print data from the print queue 31 to theprinter 4 are fixed without performing a difference extraction processor a replacement process (s40→s42).

[0073] According to the foregoing processes, in the informationprocessing system 1, when the user instructs the terminal device 2 toprint contents of file data, the terminal device 2 sends, according tothe communication protocols as shown in FIG. 4, print requesting datacomprising data specifying information for specifying the contents ofthe print data, to the print server 3. Based on contents of the printrequesting data, in the print server 3 it is determined whether thereexists print data identical with or similar to the print data regardingthe current print request in the print queue 31 and the result istransmitted to the terminal device 2. The user of the terminal device 2designates, based on the result transmitted from the print server 3,contents of a processing procedure to be performed later. The result ofthe designation is transmitted to the print server 3.

[0074] This ensures that the user becomes aware of the fact that theprint data regarding the current print request is the print data whichidentical with or similar to the print data regarding thepreviously-issued print request, whereby the user is able to obtaincorrect, desired printout by designating a processing procedure withrespect to the print data which totally or partially overlap with eachother. Moreover, it is ensured that repetition of the printing of thesame or similar print data caused by an erroneous operation by the usercan be prevented. This prevents the drop in the operating efficiency ofthe printer 4 and the waste of resources from happening.

[0075] Of the communication protocols as shown in FIG. 4, the exchangeof the reception-ready data (Set Mode Res), the print data (Send Data),and the reception completion data (Get Status) between the print server3 and the terminal device 2 is selectively carried out.

[0076] Additionally, in the forgoing embodiment, the data specifyinginformation, which forms the print requesting data, is used as a base ofdetermining whether there has already been spooled print data identicalwith or similar to the print data regarding the current print request.However, it is possible to make such determination with respect to thecontents of the print data or based on the data representative of thecharacteristic of the print data.

[0077] By using the contents of the print data as a base of determiningwhether there has already been spooled print data identical with orsimilar to the print data regarding the current print request, theidentity of print data with another can be distinguished correctly. Inthis case, the print server 3 performs a distinction process after thereceiving of the print data from the terminal device 2 has beencompleted. Moreover, by using the data representative of thecharacteristic of the print data as a base of determining whether therehas already been spooled print data identical with or similar to theprint data regarding the current print request, the amount of data forcomparison in the distinction process is reduced and the distinctionprocess is therefore simplified. In this case, for example, either acheck sum which is an integrated value of block data added for everyfixed block for the detection of an error during data transmission, or acharacter kind statistics which is an integrated value of charactercounts per character kind in each page may be used as the datarepresentative of the characteristic of the print data. Additionally,the frequency of appearance per character code may be used.

[0078] Conversely, in the foregoing embodiment, the data specifyinginformation, which forms the print requesting data, is used as a base ofdetermining whether there has already been spooled print data identicalwith or similar to the print data regarding the current print request,which makes it possible to obtain a distinction result prior toperforming the transmitting/receiving of the print data. Because of sucharrangement, when the same or similar print data has already beenspooled, it is possible to omit the receiving/transmitting of the printdata regarding the current print request according to a processingprocedure designated by the user. Accordingly, it is possible to smooththe receiving/transmitting of data in the information processing system1.

[0079] Further, prior to performing a distinction process fordetermining whether there has already been spooled print data identicalwith or similar to the print data regarding the current print request,an arrangement may be made, wherein (a) the user name/terminal deviceidentifier of the print data regarding the current print request iscompared with the user name/terminal device identifier of each printdata already spooled and (b) identity or similarity distinction processis performed, only on the print data having the same user name/terminaldevice identifier. As a result of such arrangement, it becomes possibleto reduce the frequency at which the distinction process is executed,thereby to reduce the frequency at which print processing currentlyunder execution is interrupted. Moreover, it is possible to prevent adistinction result indicative of the fact that the same or similar printdata has already been spooled, from being transmitted to a wrongterminal device 2 or to a wrong user.

[0080] Furthermore, it is possibly considered that in the printprocedure designating step in the terminal device 2 (s4), a list ofprint data processing procedures which can be designated by a user isdisplayed on the terminal device 2 so as to accept a selecting operationof selecting a print data processing procedure from the user. Forexample, the list of print data processing procedures designatable bythe user includes (1) a first print data processing procedure in whichboth the printing of the print data regarding the current print requestand the printing of the print data previously spooled are performed, (2)a second print data processing procedure in which only the printing ofthe print data previously spooled is performed, (3) a third print dataprocessing procedure in which the printing of the print data previouslyspooled is performed, with a change in the print condition such as thenumber of copies to be printed, (4) a fourth print data processingprocedure in which only the printing of the print data regarding thecurrent print request is performed, (5) a fifth print data processingprocedure in which the printing of the print data previously spooled andthe printing of a difference between the print data regarding thecurrent-issued print request and the already-spooled print data isperformed, and (6) a sixth print data processing procedure in which boththe printing of the print data regarding the current-issued printrequest and the printing of the print data previously spooled arestopped.

[0081] When there has already been spooled the same print data as theprint data regarding the current print request, this will display aselection screen, as shown in FIG. 11A, on the display monitor of theterminal device 2. On the other hand, when the print data similar to theprint data regarding the current print request has already been spooled,this will display a selection screen, as shown in FIG. 11B on thedisplay monitor of the terminal device 2. This provides a simplifiedoperation of designating a desired print data processing procedure tothe user.

[0082] In this case, when a predetermined period of time has elapsedwith no particular print data processing procedure designated by theuser, a predetermined default print data processing procedure isautomatically chosen. This provides the advantage that, even when theoperation of designating a print data processing procedure has beendeferred for a long period of time because the user is away from his orher terminal device 2, the transmitting of the print data from the printqueue 31 to the printer 4 is not prevented from being interrupted for along period of time (s22).

[0083] As described above, in the print data controlling method of theinvention, when reception of new print data identical with or similar tothe print data spooled in the print queue is detected, it is possible toallow the user to designate a print data processing procedure,regardless of whether there occurs a failure when data concerned withprinting is received or transmitted. Accordingly, in comparison withconventional print data controlling methods, even when, immediatelyafter certain data is transmitted, a modification of that data is sentoff, it is possible for the user to select between “CONTINUE PRINTING”and “STOP PRINTING” with respect to the previously-transmitted data.This improves operability.

[0084] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Thepresent embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription and all changes which come within the meaning and the rangeof equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embracedtherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A print data controlling method in which printdata regarding a print request which has been issued from a terminaldevice is temporarily spooled in a print queue and supplied from theprint queue to a printer, comprising the steps of: comparing print dataregarding a current print request with print data which is previouslyspooled in the print queue; transmitting a result of the comparison tothe terminal device which has issued the current print request; andgenerating a warning message in the terminal device when the result ofthe comparison indicates that print data identical with or similar tothe print data regarding the current print request is previously spooledin the print queue.
 2. The print data controlling method of claim 1,wherein when the comparison result indicates that print data identicalwith or similar to the print data regarding the current print request ispreviously spooled in the print queue, an input operation fordesignating a print data processing procedure of how to process theprint data regarding the current print request and the previouslyspooled print data is accepted by the terminal device to which thecomparison result was transmitted and the print data is processedaccording to the designated print data processing procedure.
 3. Theprint data controlling method of claim 1, wherein the step of comparingthe print data regarding the current print request with the print datapreviously spooled in the print queue is carried out with respect tocontents of print data.
 4. The print data controlling method of claim 1,wherein the step of comparing the print data regarding the current printrequest with the print data previously spooled in the print queue iscarried out based on data representative of characteristics of printdata.
 5. The print data controlling method of claim 1, wherein the stepof comparing the print data regarding the current print request with theprint data previously spooled in the print queue is carried out based oncontents of print requesting data which is outputted earlier than printdata.
 6. The print data controlling method of claim 1, wherein the stepof comparing the print data regarding the current print request with theprint data previously spooled in the print queue is carried out withrespect to only print data regarding a print request previously issuedfrom a same terminal device or user as that from which the print requestis currently issued.
 7. The print data controlling method of claim 2,wherein a print data processing procedure of how to process the printdata regarding the current print request and the previously spooledprint data can be designated from among a plurality of previously-setprint data processing procedures.
 8. The print data controlling methodof claim 7, wherein the plurality of print data processing proceduresincludes a print data processing procedure contents of which indicate anoperation of canceling at least one of printing of the print dataregarding the current print request and printing of the print data whichis previously spooled in the print queue and is identical with orsimilar to the print data regarding the current print request.
 9. Theprint data controlling method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of printdata processing procedures includes a print data processing procedurecontents of which indicate an operation of making a change in printcondition of print data which is previously spooled in the print queueand is identical with or similar to the print data regarding the currentprint request.
 10. The print data controlling method of claim 7, whereinthe plurality of print data processing procedures includes a print dataprocessing procedure contents of which indicate an operation ofextracting a difference between the print data regarding the currentprint request and the print data previously spooled in the print queueso as to perform only the printing of the extracted difference.
 11. Theprint data controlling method of claim 1, wherein after a predeterminedperiod of time has elapsed without designating of any particular printdata processing procedure for the print data regarding the current printrequest and the already-spooled print data, the print data is processedaccording to a default print data processing procedure.